topic Re: Amex prequal confusion in Credit Card Applications

Amex prequal confusion

Stephen_Credit — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 04:00:20 GMT

Hello all,

Trying to see if anyone can clear this up for me; I did the "Intersted in Amex? See if you're pre-qualified" and ended up with three matched offers (Gold, Plat, Everyday) with solid APR when I clicked the "rates and fees" link. Then using a separate tab I went directly to the Gold card link and clicked on "apply now" filled out the application or pre-approval and was denied.

I'm 5 yrs and 1 month post chapter 7 dc with Amex iibk for 15k. Denial reason: previous amex account cancelled and caused a loss, which I'm assuming is generic blacklist language?

Why did I get three offers and then get denied?

Re: Amex prequal confusion

JoeRockhead — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:16:31 GMT

You got pre-qualified likely based on only your scores meeting a minimum threshold much like how pre-qualified offers in the mail work.

You got denied because you burned them in the BK. The 61 month rule only applies for people who haven't burned them. They'll let you back in but how long that takes is anyone's guess. It seems the higher amount they got burned, the longer it takes.

Re: Amex prequal confusion

portlandmusician — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:45:04 GMT

@Stephen_Credit For more information on this very topic, there is a current thread going here, if you want to explore:

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Amex-Pre-Approvals-Vs-Blacklist/td-p/6852021

But, the post above from @JoeRockhead answers your questions, too.

Re: Amex prequal confusion

Stephen_Credit — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:45:34 GMT

Thank you for your response!

I figured I wouldn't be let back in this soon, but I thought why not give it a shot since it's been 5 yrs - wow time flies lol - and I've seen the 5yrs 1 month posts w/o iibk on here before.

Re: Amex prequal confusion

Stephen_Credit — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:46:01 GMT

Thank you! I will definitely follow the thread.

Re: Amex prequal confusion

Jeffster1 — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 16:33:27 GMT

I was approved by Amex exactly 61 months after including Amex in my BK. Based on the anecdotal evidence posted on this forum, I believe that the 61 month milestone is dependent on how much you burned Amex for, and/or whether you were in a 7 or a 13. IIRC, my Amex balance when I filed was a couple thousand, and I was in a 100 percent plan. The OP paid them zero.

Once Amex approved me for the Gold, further approvals for the BCE and Marriott Bonvoy followed within a couple months, both with healthy starting limits.

This forum has many tales of those who burned Amex significantly waiting years or decades to get back in with Amex, if ever.

Re: Amex prequal confusion

SeanA — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 22:24:25 GMT

Did you check for prequal twice, or once then actual application? Prequal doesn't guarantee approval.

Re: Amex prequal confusion

MrsCHX — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 23:02:35 GMT

5 years doesn't seem to match with those who were let back in without paying back.

It seems like they've let off the blacklist a bit. I did burn them in BK for several thousand, and I have not paid them back. I ignored the first prequal and tried a couple months later (no real improvement in scores), and was approved for the Blue Cash Everyday for $1,000. So, they are cautious with me, but they have let me back in.

eta: My Chapter 7 was filed November 2018 and discharged February 2019.